Jack - Baby Portrait Session

So this handsome little devil is Jack. I shot his parents wedding in San Diego last year which now seems like a life time ago. I just love this job. I get to document the natural progression of life.
Isn't Jack the cutest? He's like a modern day Gerber baby..

Dara & Darin - Puerto Vallarta Mexico

I love it when people do things a bit out of the ordinary. I'm sure it's hard to do something different when it's a major event like a wedding. Weddings have been around for a long time and are chalk full of tradition. Traditions that never seem to vary really. But this couple, who both come from traditional Jewish families, decided to get married in Puerto Vallarta Mexico in February. It was three days of fun and sun with close family and friends. If you want to do something a little different with your wedding you should think about a destination wedding which may even be cheaper than having a large traditional wedding here in the states. This wedding was at the amazing and very private Casa Macumba and was flawlessly coordinated by Pricilla Arminio of prisavarllarta events. I heard twice that the bride thought the day went exactly as she envisioned it.

The view from my balcony...

Casa Macumba...












Something really out of the ordinary for a wedding, fire dancers!

Vicki & Craig - Carmel-by-the-Sea, Ca.

This post is a little late since it was the last wedding of last season and now I'm getting ready for the 2009 season. But like I said my one and only resolution this year is to be more grateful so I need to say a few words about this amazing wedding that I was fortunate to be a part of.
I just can't believe I've had the good fortune to be a part of three weddings in beautiful Carmel/Monterey area. Carmel-by-the-Sea is not your typical California beach town, can't you tell by the name? Not just Carmel, but Carmel-by-the-Sea please. The landscape is rocky and dramatic and is often foggy in the summer, but nonetheless a really beautiful charming town. In fact Craig and Vicki decided to get married there instead of where they live, the Bahamas!
This wedding was probably the most intimate of the year, only about 20 guests. We were able to spend a lot of time with this couple so we drove around looking for locations to shoot. We took pictures beforehand at the state beach and then again the next day at the uber secluded and modern Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. They even got in the cliff side jacuzzi at the Inn fully dressed without much persuasion. Now that's taking advantage of their locations to the fullest. What a way to end the season. Here are some of the highlights.

Slide show included!

I just got a cool slide show program to offer in my wedding packages and I thought I'd bring back one my first weddings of last year to show off. Jennifer and Joe got married in beautiful sunny San Diego at the Thursday Club. I just loved everything about this wedding, cool location, cool people, and very intimate. It also reminds me of how far I've come in such a short amount of time. I could have showcased one of my more recent weddings like the one in Germany or the one in NY, but one of my goals for 2009 is to be more grateful for what I have. I am definitely grateful to Jennifer and Joe for letting me document their wedding when I was just starting out.
So if you're looking to book a wedding soon this is one of the many cool things you will get from a Michelle Hayes Photography wedding package. That and a pony! No seriously, this is a great and easy way to show off your fab wedding to your friends and family. Who lugs around a photo album anymore? That's so 2004. Enjoy!

Why Not...

The second edition of Why Not involves wedding dress fabric alternatives.

We all know of the typical wedding dress fabrics, duchess satin, chiffon, lace, organza, etc. Beautiful as they may be some women just don't want to wear a dress of the traditional feel. Either their weddings are of a more casual affair or they just want something unique and non-traditional. May I introduce the idea of Jersey? I know, I know, upon hearing Jersey I instinctively think of a few unflattering images myself..the Jersey Turnpike, Jersey Girl the movie, and my ex-boyfriend from Jersey...but give it a try. This fabric actually drapes nicely and is very comfortable. Having a garden or beach wedding this summer? Any one of the dresses below would be perfect and can you believe they are all under $300? Simple, chic and affordable.

Why Not...

I've decided to add a little segment to my photography blog to help brides out there who maybe be a little style challenged or to simply give inspiration. If you have your own specific style or if you want to go the traditional route, great! Go for it. But if you know you need help with fashion in general and want your uniqueness to shine through on your wedding day then tune into my Why Not posts for some friendly wedding fashion advice.
Before I became a wedding photographer I worked in fashion. I did pretty much everything including personal shopping in NYC. In addition to working in fashion I was brought up with the philosophy of image is everything. My mom would not let me leave the house if I didn't have matching socks on with my perfectly put together appropriate outfit. My mom has excellent taste and I am proud to say I inherited this from her. I can't deny my past career and inherent good taste so I've decided to incorporate it into my wedding photography.
It amazes me that the wedding industry as a whole still pushes brides to carry on antiquated wedding traditions without many options. We need to change the way we think how a modern day brides should look. I know there are many women who are not into the traditional look and don't know where to turn. Through my personal shopping experiences I discovered many women do not even know how to go about putting together an appropriate outfit that suits their personality. So, I'm going to start to give out advice as to how to achieve a more modern, chic and unique wedding day look for those who may be style challenged. If yards of tulle on your head is not really the look for you then these posts can help achieve the look you really want. Don't be afraid to look different.

The first installment deals with alternative jewelry options. Why not...

...wear unique pieces to make a simple dress a little more interesting? Pair any of these statement pieces with a strapless dress and you're on your way to becoming a chic bride in the 21st century. Hooray!



I found all these fun pieces on a website called Bag Borrow or Steal that lets you borrow jewelry, handbags, etc for either a day or a week. Remember Louise's borrowed LV handbag in Sex and the City movie? What a fantastic and cost effective idea for wedding jewelry.

Bernadette & Michael - New York, NY

I am almost done with the 2008 wedding season and I am so excited to post about this fantastic wedding I shot in New York. Bernadette asked me a long time ago to be her wedding photographer and I just couldn't wait because I knew it was going to be a great time at a very cool place, the Metropolitan Place in New York.
This was a marriage of two people who exude a fun, relaxed and down to earth attitude at all times, so it was no surprise that their wedding reflected the same spirit. I was in the company of extremely warm, funny and gracious people who knew how to have a good time. I had one of the funnest nights in a long time and while shooting the wedding!
Bernadette looked so New York chic. She put together her whole look for a fraction of what the normal bride spends on her attire and looked fabulous. Her head piece is from Fasinators in New York and they liked my pictures so much they decided to use a few for their website/blog header and wrote about me in their blog! I am so honored.
Please be sure to check out these amazing head pieces if you are searching for a traditional veil alternative. These will definitely complete your modern look.
Thanks Bernadette and Michael for letting me be a part of your fantastic NY wedding!